Lindsay Markwart

Tell me a little about your background?

I was coaching field hockey at Miami University for many years prior so I didn’t really have any sales experience. I did sell cars for a short time, but it was only about three months. Basically, I got sick of working a lot of hours for not a lot of money so I talked with some friends who are in the industry and decided that I would give it a whirl.

Why were you interested in Medical Sales? What drew you to this industry?

I would say that in talking with my friends who are in the field who really liked their jobs and were making decent money. They were also Division I athletes like me so that kind of drew me to the industry.

How long did you try to get into the industry? What was that experience like?

I sent a lot of resumes out and applied for tons of positions. The common response was the email that says: “we found someone with more experience.” I did this for about two months, before I got the hint.

How did you learn about Medical Sales College?

I went on the Internet to find out how to break in to the industry and that was when I found the MSC website and dug in to it a little bit more.

Did you have any fears about attending the School? What were they?

For sure! My friends who were in the industry thought that maybe it was a scam, but I thought “well I’m not getting in to the industry now without it.” I actually had a conversation with Scott Binder, President of EliteMed Recruiting and he helped me understand the importance of a training program like this.

What ultimately made you decide to attend the College?

Speaking with two alumni from the School really helped. Kim from Admissions did a nice job of connecting me with graduates who had a similar background to me in athletics and they shared their experiences with me. The communication with everyone at the school was very open, they were quick to respond and very professional. For Scott Binder to take the time to speak with me was very helpful as well and it made a huge impact.

Explain what your interview process was like.

It was great. I started applying for positions while I was still in school and got some good feedback. Putting in the legwork worked well for me rather than solely relying on EliteMed. I knew that EliteMed would work for me, but that they wouldn’t do all the work. I found a way to connect with recruiters out there in the field rather than just sending in my resume. I did still get emails about my lack of experience, but I expected that. Only now, I was getting calls back or contacts through EliteMed and my trainer Mark.

What from your training did you specifically use during the interview process that ultimately helped you land your position?

Everything. Our interview class was good as well as learning the terminology and just understanding the industry overall. My conversations with my trainer Mark were really helpful because he taught me how to take my coaching experience and relate it back to working in this industry. Mark was one of the main reasons that I got this position because I was able to turn my experience into something useful for the industry.

What is your current job like?

It’s awesome. I work the trauma line at Smith and Nephew at one of the largest, if not the largest, bone-lengthening centers in the U.S. People come all over the world to see our surgeons. A lot of people might only get to see a Taylor Spatial Frame once a year, but I get to see three a day.

What was the most valuable thing you learned at Medical Sales College/What piece of
training do you use the most in your day-to-day activities?

I use everything that I learned at school; knowing the terminology, presenting products and learning diagnostic imaging. We actually used a Smith and Nephew Hind-Foot Fusion Nail system while I was at school. Now, I can actually tell the surgeon how to use it because I learned how to use it while I was at MSC. I am also giving a presentation for Smith and Nephew in my district on surgeon profiles. My boss was so impressed with them that he said: “everyone needs to be doing these.”

Why should someone attend the Medical Sales College if they want this career?

Especially for people who don’t have the connection or background in the industry the School is really helpful. But knowing what I know now, I’m glad that I didn’t get a job before. If I did, I would be four to six months behind what I know now because it would take me that long to learn from someone in the field. The School is so useful that it is as if the money that I paid has already paid me back. I am confident that I can go out there and do well and I’m so glad that I did it.
My experience was phenomenal and that is why I am always willing to talk to anyone looking at attending the School. The School is great not just to get in to the industry, but to be prepared to be in the industry. The instructors are spot on in what they talk about regarding the industry as well. Even though my program was focused on Orthopaedic Extremities and I ended up in Trauma, I still had plenty of knowledge to do well. Medical Sales College is a great thing for the industry itself.

What do you know now that you wish you had known before entering the industry/attending Medical Sales College?

Connect with the people in your class as soon as possible to get as much out of it as you can.